Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Android Authority

Android Authority


Jawbone UP now compatible with Android, fitness band to hit more countries in April

Posted: 20 Mar 2013 02:34 AM PDT

Jawbone-UP-band

Three months into the year and you've forgotten all about your healthy New Year's resolution(s)? If all you need is a reminder every now and then to get up and do some exercise, Jawbone UP can provide that tough, but often necessary love.

But wait, isn't Jawbone UP only available for iOS users? That was previously the case, but now Android users can get in on the fitness action as well.

The company has unleashed the accompanying software to its popular fitness band on Google Play. The UP app can be downloaded for free, but you'll need to get the accelerometer-equipped wristband to use it, which you can grab from Jawbone's online store for $130.

The UP helps you keep track of your physical activity, including the distance you’ve covered, potential calories you’ve burned, activity intensity, and more. It also keeps track of your sleeping pattern, such as the hours slept. Since it comes with a vibrating motor, you can easily set it up so that it will alert you if you've been sitting on the couch for too long. Of course, this is just one of its many uses.

Jawbon-UP-app-screenshot

Here's how the app – in combination with the UP wristband – can help you get fit:

  • Track your sleep & physical activity
  • Log your food & drink & track nutritional info
  • Get insights to help you set & achieve your goals
  • Set Smart Sleep Alarms to wake up refreshed
  • Set Idle Alerts to remind you to move
  • Team up with friends in the app and live better together

Got your attention? Please note that the UP app only works on Android 4+ devices.

If you prefer to see the movement-tracking device up close and personal in real-life first before purchasing it, Jawbone said that it will be available in Asia, Australia, and the Middle East next month. Meanwhile, those in Europe should already be able to purchase the UP bracelet in Apple stores.

Ready to move?

The post Jawbone UP now compatible with Android, fitness band to hit more countries in April appeared first on Android Authority.

ZTE Quantum leaks: a Sprint-bound 5-inch mid-ranger with a different design

Posted: 20 Mar 2013 02:30 AM PDT

ZTE Quantum

After introducing the Grand S during CES, the Grand Memo at MWC, the Grand X Pro sometime in between and after leaking out the stunningly cheap U935, you might have expected ZTE to take a breather and chill for a while.

But how can you rest when you want to claim that much coveted last spot on the smartphone manufacturer podium behind Samsung and Apple? You can't, which is why ZTE is reportedly prepping another addition to its already large family of mobile devices – the Quantum, aka N8910.

The new guy is apparently planned as a US-exclusive, being slated for a Sprint release this spring. And while it's clearly not as exciting as the Grand S or Memo, it might just have enough pizazz to help put ZTE on the map in America.

ZTE Quantum-2

The design is clearly eye-catching and different, even though we're not sure if that's a good thing. The Quantum is decently thin and it's probably going to be light also, but what's up with the camera module? We get it, the shooter has a 13 MP sensor and you want to draw attention to it, but you could have done that with a little more style.

Oh, well, let's leave these "shallow" things aside and talk specs. Besides the 13 MP cam, there's nothing to really scream high-end here, but there's enough to make the Quantum a decent upper mid-end device.

The 5-inch screen boasts a nice 1,280 x 720 pixels resolution, the dual-core 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 MSM8960 processor was top of the line only a year ago and you should also get 4G LTE speeds.

ZTE Quantum-3

As for the 1 GB of RAM, on-board Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, dual-band Wi-Fi and NFC, they're fairly standard, but that doesn't make them any less special. What's not special is the 0.9 MP front-facing camera and 4 GB of internal memory, but you can't always get what you want, right?

Even if it’s not an official device yet, we’re pretty certain the Quantum is real, based on the complexity of today’s leak, but also on its recently acquired Wi-Fi and DLNA certifications. The only question now is how much it’s going to cost, but, based on U935′s uber-low price tag, we’re thinking not that much.

The post ZTE Quantum leaks: a Sprint-bound 5-inch mid-ranger with a different design appeared first on Android Authority.

Google receives delivery of Nexus 4 phones in the UK, now back in stock

Posted: 20 Mar 2013 01:34 AM PDT

LG Nexus 4

There is some good news for those of you in the UK who have been trying to get your hands on a Nexus 4. Google has taken delivery of a new batch of the phones and they are now officially in stock. According to the Google Play store delivery is now 3 to 5 days. The 8GB version of the phone, made by LG on Google’s behalf, is £239, while the 16GB version costs  £279.00.

The Nexus 4 has been a great success for Google, so much so that it has had supply and demand problems! All over the world the phone appears in stock and then shortly disappears again as enthusiastic users snap up the current batch. The device is highly coveted. Its amazing price point plus the great Android experience along with some excellent hardware makes its popularity understandable. Another key point is that the Nexus 4 is just pure, unadulterated Android. No extra user interfaces added on top, something that companies like Samsung and HTC love to do. This is Android as Google intended!

The magic pricing, experience and hardware combination in the Nexus 4 has caught LG off guard and the company admitted last year that “demand via the Play Store has been very high.” Likewise in January, Google’s CEO Larry Page acknowledged that there was a problem in meeting demand for the phone, however he said that solving the phone shortage problem is a top priority Google.

Did you buy a Nexus 4? Let me know what you think of it by leaving a comment below.

 

The post Google receives delivery of Nexus 4 phones in the UK, now back in stock appeared first on Android Authority.

Swype keyboard update introduces advanced language models for Hindi and Belgian Dutch

Posted: 20 Mar 2013 01:30 AM PDT

Swype Beta Keyboard

Swype, the very popular third-party keyboard developed by Nuance, which is still in its beta testing phase for Android, has recently been updated yet again, this time, adding advanced language models for Hindi and Belgian Dutch, along with a host of other changes.

With the use of advanced language models, which is a “super aggressive” word completion tool, along with context and word prediction algorithms, a word choice list will be populated right of the bat, making typing that much faster and more accurate.

The complete change log  introduced with the update, which takes the version 1.4.9, include -

  • Responsiveness for tap input improved for all languages
  • Improved overall Smart Editor behavior and some bug fixes
  • Fixed a Gingerbread crash that occurred when rotating the device to landscape mode
  • Fixed miscellaneous crashes reported by the beta community
  • Fixed an issue where default Android voice input icon displayed instead of Dragon logo
  • Changed subtype text in notification drawer to be more accurate
  • Word Choice List behavior improved in Polaris Office
  • Other bug fixes and improvements
  • Advanced Language Models introduced for Hindi and Belgian Dutch

Because the current version of Swype is still beta, it’s not available for download from the Google Play Store. If you want to try out Swype, you can download it directly from the website here from your Android device browser.  All existing Swype users will be receiving the update within the next 72 hours.

If you’ve tried out the latest beta version of Swype, do share your experiences in the comments section below.

The post Swype keyboard update introduces advanced language models for Hindi and Belgian Dutch appeared first on Android Authority.

Google and LG to throw a Nexus 4 launch party in Brazil next week

Posted: 20 Mar 2013 12:12 AM PDT

LG Nexus 4

Despite being the country where Android 4.2.2 was first spotted running on the Nexus 4 in the wild, as well as one of the places where LG  builds the phone, Google's flagship Nexus handset hasn't been officially released in Brazil. That's about to change soon.

As reported by the folks over at Gizmodo Brazil, they have received invitations from Google and LG to attend an event next week that's highly expected to be launch of the Nexus 4. One Google exec later confirmed – albeit indirectly – that N4 will be the main attraction.

The event will be held at Google's HQ in São Paolo and is expected to be graced by the presence of Hugo Barra, the company's VP. As for the date, you can mark down March 27 on your calendar.

It hasn't been confirmed yet whether the phone will hit stores on the same day, but we might have to wait a few days for that. Likewise, the price is still being kept under wraps. Here's hoping that we'll get to hear more details soon.

Still looking forward to grab the Nexus 4? How much do you think it will retail?

The post Google and LG to throw a Nexus 4 launch party in Brazil next week appeared first on Android Authority.

The Best Google Reader replacement apps for Android

Posted: 19 Mar 2013 10:28 PM PDT

rss reader apps android

So if you somehow haven’t heard, Google Reader is set to be discontinued on July 1st. To put it bluntly, it sucks. While not as many people use Google Reader as there used to be, those of us left that do use it do so religiously. So the hunt begins for a Google Reader replacement and we’d like to help by putting together a list of the best Android Google Reader replacement apps. Word on the internet is that the Google Reader link is no longer available on Google+, but it’s available on every other Google service. So this list may be a temporary solution as Google+ may be getting its own news service. That’s strictly conjecture, but hey, just saying. As usual if you’d rather watch than read, there’s a video posted at the bottom!


Feedly - Google Reader Replacement apps

Source url To download Feedly from the Google Play Store, click the source link.

Feedly – Google Reader Replacement

We start our Google Reader replacement list with Feedly. The reason is because a whole bunch of people have already chosen Feedly as their replacement. According to some reports, over half a million people have already migrated. Feedly was among the first to offer a solution to the Google Reader replacement problem as they’re developing their own back end service called Normandy. Many of us here at Android Authority are big fans of Mass Effect references.

As an app, Feedly looks very good. It’s got a polished interface with a variety of views that will make anyone feel at home. There is a card view for people who like to look at pictures, a magazine style view, and a list view for those pros who like to view a lot of content very quickly. Also, there are a couple of themes, it’s free in the Google Play Store, and come July 1st, it’ll still be running. All great things going for Feedly.


Google Currents - Google Reader replacement

Source url To download Google Currents from the Google Play Store, click the source link.

Google Currents – the unofficial Google Reader replacement

If you’re trying to stick with Google built applications when replacing Google Reader, then Google Currents is the unofficial Google Reader replacement. This really didn’t make a lot of people very happy at first, but depending on what you use RSS readers for, Google Currents could actually be a pretty decent replacement. By that, we mean if you’re one of those types that uses RSS to find something fun to read while waiting for an appointment, Google Currents could be for you. If you’re one of those people who blaze through content quickly, you may want to find another alternative.

Google Currents has a very nice interface, but it’s definitely geared for the casual reader. You can swipe left and right to change feeds and up and down to scroll articles. That’s pretty much all there is to it. It’s very simple and quick. However, as stated, getting through a lot of content really fast takes a lot of time. Also, as mentioned above, Google+ has been estranged from Google Reader specifically, so Google may not be going with Google Currents as its main news source. Again, though, that’s just conjecture right now.


Flipboard - Google Reader replacement apps

Source url To download Flipboard from the Google Play Store, click the source link.

Flipboard – the Google Reader replacement for casual users

If you are a casual reader, there are few readers better than the popular Flipboard. It features a magazine style layout with large pictures, big text, and an ease of use that many readers on this list don’t share. When Google Reader goes dark, Flipboard will still be around so switching over now and getting used to it means come July 1st, you won’t have to worry about Google Reader replacement.

Getting around the app is pretty simple. Pretty much everything is controlled with up and down swipes and screen taps. Swipe up and down to view feeds, then select a feed and swipe up and down to view articles. Click and article and read. For those who like to chew through content in their RSS apps, Flipboard will be frustrating as it takes a lot of swipes to get anywhere. The casual reader, though, should really enjoy the polished interface.


gReader Pro - Google Reader replacement apps

Source url To download gReader Pro from Google Play, click the source link.

gReader Pro – the Google Reader replacement for pros

So far our list has been dominated by beautiful applications that, while gorgeous, aren’t great for pros who like to get through a lot of content quickly. gReader Pro is nothing like that. It features a much more traditional interface for an RSS app and one that much more closely resembles Google Reader itself. In their app description, gReader Pro throws their bid into the pile for Google Reader replacement as they plan on continuing service after July 1st.

As stated, the interface is simple and traditional. It features list views, a much more minimalist app structure, and getting through a lot of content very quickly is very simple. So if you’re a blogger who is looking for the big stories going on or just someone who likes knowing everything that’s happening, gReader Pro could be the best replacement.

In addition to being simple to use, gReader Pro also has a variety of settings to customize your experience. There are a few themes, a few different ways to set things up, and it really tries to make their users feel at home. The casual user may balk at the simplicity of the app and it’s lack of flash, but the pros will feel right at home once Google Reader kicks the digital bucket.


News360 - Google Reader Replacement apps

Source url To download News360 from the Google Play Store, check the source link.

News360 – a different kind of Google Reader replacement

So far, most of the apps on this list more or less perform the same task. You select some RSS feeds, then shuffle through them every day looking for news. News360 differs in this area. While there are some feeds available and you can select your areas of interest (i.e. Technology, Android, Sports, Cooking, etc), News360 actually takes a different approach. When you use News360, you have an option to like and dislike articles that it shows you. Based on which feeds you choose to read and what you like and don’t like, News360 adjusts the content to your liking. This makes News360 the most unique Google Reader replacement app on this list.

Using it is very simple. You load the app, swipe left and right to view new stories, and click to read the article. Inside the article, you can actually select different blogs that covered the same stuff. So if you’re reading an article from The Verge, there may be an option to read Ars Technica’s write up of the same event. This is great for article comparisons and seeing more than one point of view on a topic. Due to manually built feeds taking a total backseat in News360, this will appeal to the casual reader more. Still, it’s a really cool concept.


Press Reader - Google Reader replacement

Source url To download Press Reader from Google Play, click on the source link.

Press Reader – the Google Reader replacement app aimed at everyone

Press Reader is kind of like a mix between Feedly and gReader Pro. It has a little flash to it to appease the casual reader who wants to read their news on something that looks good. However, it also has it’s content well laid out for the pro who wants to fly through content quickly. It isn’t the highest rated app on the list, but for people who want a little of column A and a little of column B, Press can be a decent Google Reader replacement.

Press has a simple enough UI. You start with a categories list followed by a feeds grid. Where it starts to get interesting is when you select a feed you get a list of articles. Select an article and a page slides in where the article appears. You can read it and there are two buttons in the bottom that let you go back and forth between articles. Then you swipe the page away to go back to the list. So it’s a little flashy but still functional. However, it definitely has that jack of all trades, master of none quality that may chase people to other Google Reader replacements.


Taptu - Google Reader replacement apps

Source url To download Taptu from the Google Play Store, click the source link.

Taptu – A better looking Google Reader replacement

The last two apps on our list, which is Taptu and Pulse, have a very similar layout and it’s wildly different from the other Google Reader replacement apps. The first we’ll talk about, Taptu, has the advantage of being a very good looking application and a very functional one. Taptu does focus more on the flashy side of RSS reading rather than the functional side.

In the unique layout, users select feeds as they would any normal RSS app. The feeds are listed vertically and the articles are listed horizontally. So you scroll up or down to find the feed you want. You can then scroll left and right to view content from that feed. What makes Taptu truly fun is the ability to merge feeds. So if you wanted to merge, say the popular hockey blogs Puck Daddy and Down Goes Brown into a single NHL feed to save space, you could do that. Of course, the most important feature, is that Taptu remains alive after Google Reader dies in a few months.


Pulse - Google Reader replacement apps

Source url To download Pulse from Google Play, check out the source URL.

Pulse Reader – the Google Reader replacement Steve Jobs would recommend

Yes, you read that right. There was a point when Steve Jobs once recommended Pulse to everyone as an RSS reader. Even though we’re not always fans of iPhones around these parts, a recommendation from the guy who saved Apple is worth looking into. As it turns out, Pulse is not only Apple approved, but it’ll also outlive Google Reader. It features an interface similar to Taptu’s but a little more flashy. At it’s core, it’s the same vertical feed list with the horizontal article scrolling.

The good news is that Google Reader content is very easy to port in. Once it’s in, it becomes Pulse content so when Google Reader bets the digital farm, Pulse will have your content waiting for you. The bad news is that there are some serious limitations to this app. During testing, I maxed out my Technology category and had to create a category with the brilliant and original name of Technology 2. So if you’re a pro user with a whole bunch of content, you’ll either have to make multiple categories to house the same type of news or find a different Google Reader replacement. For the casual user, though, Pulse should work really well.


Leaderboard - best Google Reader replacement apps

Wrap Up

As you can see from the leader board, some of these apps are better than others. If you’re wondering what our rating system is, keep guessing because we don’t have one. These apps were ranked based on their overall rating in the Google Play Store. So this is how the people who use these apps every day have rated them. We’d also like to give a honorary mention to Pocket. Pocket is an application that saves articles from most of these RSS feeds for offline reading. It doesn’t aggregate news on it’s own, but it seems to be working on just about all these apps so it’s worth mentioning. You can find it in the Google Play Store here.

It’s an unhappy time that Google Reader is leaving. Some people never got into Google Reader and didn’t use it. Some used it religiously. Even some of our writers and editors here at Android Authority used Google Reader to help find great content to bring to you guys, our readers. However, it’s about that time to spend a few final days with Google Reader and find a replacement.

As always, if there’s a great Google Reader replacement that we missed, feel free to leave a comment below telling us about it. Also, there is a very high probability that more Google Reader applications will continue to run after the service goes dark and just hasn’t announced it yet. So if your favorite reader happens to be on that list and it’s not on ours then, again, feel free to drop a comment and let us know.

The post The Best Google Reader replacement apps for Android appeared first on Android Authority.

Dual-SIM HTC E1 available to pre-order in China

Posted: 19 Mar 2013 06:30 PM PDT

htc-e1The HTC E1, previously known as the HTC 603e, is a mid-range Android handset headed for the Chinese market. The device, as is usual for a lot of Chinese handsets, comes with dual-SIM support and will cost interested buyers 1,799 CNY or $290 in USD.

The HTC E1 has Android 4.1 Jelly Bean on board with an update to Android 4.2 later this year. The handset has Sense 4+, a 4.3-inch WVGA Super LCD2 display, dual-SIM capabilities, a dual-core Qualcomm CPU (clocked at 1.15GHz according to the official spec sheet), 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage and a microSD slot. It also has a 5MP rear shooter, a 2.1MP front facing shooter and Beats Audio.

The new smartphone is currently available for pre-order on HTC China’s official website. At the time of this writing, only a white model is available and there’s no telling if it’ll come in black somewhere down the line. The HTC E1 is a device made for China, so we probably won’t see it coming to any other countries, especially if the Taiwanese based company is having issues with component shortages.

Are you planning on getting an HTC E1 or are you waiting for the HTC’s new flagship, the One, to arrive?

The post Dual-SIM HTC E1 available to pre-order in China appeared first on Android Authority.

GameStick dev-kits expected to ship out later this month

Posted: 19 Mar 2013 03:25 PM PDT

Gamestick

Although the Ouya seems to be the crowd favorite when it comes to upcoming Android game consoles, the Gamestick still has managed to gain quite a bit of attention as well. The GameStick might not quite be ready for prime-time just yet, but the company behind the console has now announced the first dev-kits will be shipping out later this month.

The GameStick dev-kit is a "pre-production prototype" of what the company hopes to bring out with the finalized hardware, though it adds a few extra features for debugging and loading apps. The dev-kit also has a Type A USB port for mouse and keyboard.

Besides the news of the dev-kit shipping, GameStick also updated its Kickstarter page with a few other details. First, the company has now finalized the game controller. Second, Gamestick’s makers revealed that more than 500 developers are interested in the device and that there has also been a strong level of interest from retailers around the globe.

The GameStick might not seem to have the same level of developer support or as powerful of hardware as the Ouya, but it is also a bit more affordable and has a design that is even more portable. At $79, it is still sure to appeal to some Android gamers out there, as evidenced by 5,691 Kickstarters that have backed the project.

What do you think of the Gamestick, are you excited or do you feel that the Ouya will stomp all over it?

The post GameStick dev-kits expected to ship out later this month appeared first on Android Authority.

Infrared: back with a vengeance?

Posted: 19 Mar 2013 03:17 PM PDT

Sense TV

If you’ve been familiar with mobile devices long enough to remember the 1990s, then you would know that infrared was a big thing back then. In fact, IrDA — which stands for Infrared Data Association — was supposedly a feature in top-of-the-line devices, including mobile phones, PDAs and laptops. You could do all sorts of things with IrDA-enabled devices, such as exchange contact details, beam data and even control your TV. But with the rise in popularity of alternative wireless communication standards like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, IrDA seems to have gone the way of the dodo.

In fact, it is reported that by 2012, there were no current IrDA-compliant devices. My last IrDA-enabled device was a Nokia E-series bought in 2008. But with the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 launching with an Infrared blaster, does this mean that infrared technology is coming back with a vengeance?

IrDA was an excellent means of transferring data back when no other wireless protocols were available. The standard back then was connecting your device via serial port — yes, the 9-pin variety and not USB! — to sync your PDA or mobile phone with your computer. The supported speed of 115.2 kbps or so seems to have been adequate for most needs. Of course, there is one inherent disadvantage: infrared communications require line-of-sight, which is not exactly ideal in all scenarios.

Read also: HTC OpenSense SDK now includes Infrared API. Better remote controls, anyone?

IrDA was excellent for beaming data across two devices and for controlling your TV set. But you couldn’t use it to keep a consistent connection when your phone is in your pocket, making it useless for applications that will require movement breaking line-of-sight. As such, it may be a surprise that infrared is coming back when it now seems to have a niche application.

An IrDA dongle, back in the day.

An IrDA dongle, back in the day

Both the Galaxy S4 and the One have IR blasters or emitters. But these are not exactly the same as the IrDA-compliant devices of old. The two flagship Android smartphones carry a “blaster” which means it only goes one way. Good enough? Here are a few points to consider.

  • Who needs an IR transceiver anyway? It’s 2013. We have persistent data connections, Bluetooth and NFC anyway. A blaster should be good enough.
  • Line of sight is a drag. You wouldn’t want to have to point your phone somewhere just to get a decent connection. But wait, NFC works on the principle of very close proximity. So data is exchanged with a tap. Are we essentially bringing back the same limitation? Not necessarily, because tapping something does have its own advantages and use-case scenarios.
  • Trainability might suffer, though. You can’t just point your old remote into the IR emitter to “train” it like you would old-school universal remotes. You need to make sure you have the proper codes for your brand TV.

It’s a question of whether our devices will still support infrared as a remote-control technology in the future. Right now, we’re moving toward IP-based content, where we beam videos to our TV sets (or set-top boxes). But basic TV controls are still done via infrared. A few years down the line, we might do away with IR-based remotes altogether and just control our TV straight from the wireless LAN or the Internet.

Read also: Android invades the home: Can we get some Android home automation?

Which makes me wonder: why the resurgence of IR-enabled devices? Is this just a passing fad that only a small minority will enjoy? Will you get all excited about your new S4′s or One’s TV remote-control capability, but only end up actually using it for a few days and forget it had that feature?

So is infrared here to stay, or is it just a passing fad best left behind in the 1990s? Thoughts? Pitch in.

The post Infrared: back with a vengeance? appeared first on Android Authority.

Sony SmartWatch gets new firmware update, brings new watch faces and notifications previews

Posted: 19 Mar 2013 02:32 PM PDT

Sony

Samsung and Apple might be preparing to revolutionize the smartwatch world, but in the meantime there are several decent options already out there, including Sony’s SmartWatch. Sony’s watch likely doesn’t have all the bells and whistles that Samsung or Apple will bring to the table, but it is still a solid choice at just $130. Now it is getting even better thanks to a new firmware update.

The update is available through Google Play and brings with it several new features, including six new watch faces. Each of these watch faces has their own style as you can see in the image directly below.

new-sony-watch-face

Outside of the new faces, Sony is also bringing notification previews to its SmartWatch. This change makes it possible to see snippets from incoming tweets, texts, Facebook posts and more. Unfortunately, the device doesn’t really provide a way to respond to these messages, but at least it helps you keep aware of what is going on, for those times when you can instantly pull out your smartphone.

Sony also has improved its searching system, so it makes it easier to find the right apps for you out of the 200+ SmartWatch apps that are available for the watch. Last but not least, Sony promises the update will be able to more accurately gauge battery life.

Have you downloaded the update yet? If so, what do you think of the new features?

The post Sony SmartWatch gets new firmware update, brings new watch faces and notifications previews appeared first on Android Authority.

Android and Me

Android and Me


NVIDIA reveals Tegra 5, Tegra 6 at GTC 2013

Posted: 19 Mar 2013 11:08 AM PDT

Today at GTC 2013, NVIDIA CEO Jen-Hsun Huang revealed the latest Tegra roadmap and provided a preview of where their mobile chip is headed. Project Logan (Tegra 5) will introduce NVIDIA’s Kepler GPU architecture with CUDA cores, and Project Parker (Tegra 6) will include NVIDIA’s custom...

Visit our site to read the full article.

HTC One versus Samsung Galaxy S4: The ultimate 2013 Android showdown

Posted: 19 Mar 2013 09:07 AM PDT

It’s nearly impossible to go a full week without a new Android phone announced these days. Samsung, HTC, Sony, Huawei, LG and Motorola will each deliver 10-15 new Android-powered devices this year, but our focus and consumer dollars will be appropriated to only a handful of flagship phones....

Visit our site to read the full article.

Company executive confirms Samsung smartwatch development

Posted: 19 Mar 2013 08:58 AM PDT

The smartwatch concept isn’t anything new, but 2013 appears to be the year the gadget is destined to go mainstream. Samsung’s Lee Young Hee has admitted to Bloomberg that the company is working on a smartwatch that would likely go head-to-head with an iOS-powered smartwatch later this...

Visit our site to read the full article.

Android Central

Android Central


HTC One review

Posted: 19 Mar 2013 03:48 PM PDT

HTC One

HTC returns with a sleek aluminum design, re-imagined software and a bold new camera experience

We’re all out of poetic ways to describe HTC’s current situation. A frustrating 2012 saw some of the year’s best mobile hardware being met with declining sales and market presence for the Taiwanese manufacturer. Once the leader of the Android pack,  HTC is increasingly seen as an also-ran.

That, in part, was down to the confused marketing strategy around last year’s HTC One series. The One X and One S were soon joined by Ones V, VX, XL, XT, XC, SU, SV, SC, and X+, further diluting the value of an already watery brand.

In 2013, however, there is only one One. The new HTC One is, as the name suggests, the singular focus of HTC’s high-end efforts. The company’s best build quality, software, screen and optics are to be brought to bear in a “kitchen sink” product that aims to leave no holds barred.

It’s also a device that seeks to achieve differentiation at every point on the spec sheet. As other smartphones are increasingly faceless, monolithic black slabs, HTC sandwiches its screen between two bassy front-facing speakers. BoomSound. As competitors crank out 13-megapixel shooters, HTC bucks the trend with a much lower megapixel count, but larger pixels and improved optics. UltraPixels. Add to that a new way to shoot and share images and video. Zoe Share. Plus, a new home screen experience that brings the world to you. BlinkFeed.

And let’s not forget how rare it is to come across a decent aluminum smartphone these days.

If HTC is to recover, it’ll be through a combination of intelligent marketing and great products. We can’t review the former, but you can bet we’re going to get stuck into the latter. In fact, we’ll do it right after the break, in our definitive review of the new HTC One.

read more



NVIDIA reveals future Tegra roadmap and 'GPU computing'

Posted: 19 Mar 2013 03:00 PM PDT

Tegra roadmap

Speaking at today's GPU Technology Conference in San Jose, NVIDIA co-founder and CEO Jen-Hsun Huang took the wraps off the future of the Tegra platform. That future looks pretty bright, as NVIDIA says they want mobile devices to be able to "do everything a modern computer should do." Enter the next-generation "Logan" and "Parker" Tegra processors.

The Logan (that's a code name for what will likely be the Tegra 5) will offer a Kepler GPU, with support for CUDA and OpenGL 4.3. The Kepler GPU is a big boost from previous GeForce models, and offers two pretty exciting (for developers, anyway) features -- Dynamic Parallel computing, where the GPU can spawn it's own threads without going back to the CPU, and Hyper-Q threading which allows more than one CPU core to simultaneously utilize the GPU. Nerdy stuff to be sure, but it means even better gaming and 3D performance for the apps and games we all love.

CUDA is GPU computing. While your mobile CPU works hard to crunch the numbers, normally the GPU sits idle unless it's supposed to be drawing something. With CUDA implemented, that array of high clock speed GPU cores is doing a lot of work right along with the CPU cores. Modern desktops use GPU computing, as do many "supercomputers" we read about at research facilities and laboratories. Expect CUDA support to make a significant impact on applications specially designed for it. Expect to see Logan chips in production early next year.

Things wont stop there. Jen-Hsun also talked a little about the "Parker" (Tegra 6?). Parker will sport the all-new 64-bit Denver CPU and Maxwell GPU cores, The big news here is the use of FinFET transistors. Hardware geeks and EE's everywhere are pretty excited about FinFET transistors, and the way they are going to radically change the way ARM chips are designed and built. They cut "leaked" (read: wasted) power by up to 90-percent, and are about 40 to 50-percent faster while using half the power of the current transistor model. This means they can process information twice as fast as chips we have now, without using any extra power. Of course, that also means chips can be designed to process data as fast as they do today, while using half the power. 

NVIDIA is excited about what they have in store for mobile computing, and so are we. As this sort of technology works its way onto ARM devices, we'll have phones and tablets that are as powerful as the current best-in-class laptops -- with games and apps designed to take advantage of it all.

More: NVIDIA (1), (2)



Nexus 4 up for sale once again in the UK Play Store

Posted: 19 Mar 2013 01:40 PM PDT

Nexus 4

After a not-so-brief hiatus from the U.K. Play Store, the Nexus 4 is back up for sale. In both 8GB and 16GB versions for £239 and £279, respectively. We can't say how long this will last, but if you have yet to get your hands on one directly from the source, now is the time.

It's been well over a month since the last availability, and the device has kept in stock steadily for the U.S. as of late, so let's hope that the stock also sticks around for our friends across the pond.

Source: Nexus (Google+)



HTC One: Zoes and Video Highlights

Posted: 19 Mar 2013 11:57 AM PDT

HTC Zoe

Two of the most important features on the HTC One are also two of the most confusing

One of the most important -- and impressive -- features of the HTC One is, of course, the camera. We're not going to dive into the whole "UltraPixel" thing here, nor is this a review of camera quality. We'll worry about how the sausage is made later. Right now it's time to learn a few important terms when it comes to the HTC One camera.

When it comes to the new features in the HTC One Camera, you'll be hearing a lot about Zoes (pronounced zoh-ee, as in Zoetrope) and Video Highlights. Zoes can stand on their own, or they can be part of a Video Highlight. 

Following is a walkthrough of what a Zoe is compared to a Video Highlight, what you can do with them, and how you can share them.

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Citrix updates Podio app with improved task management, language support

Posted: 19 Mar 2013 11:31 AM PDT

Podio

Podio, the collaboration platform from Citrix, has just received a notable update to its Android app to improve management of tasks and add new languages. The new Android app brings options for complete control over tasks, so users can now edit due dates, times, assignees and references all from the mobile interface. Along with the new editing features, users can now add images to tasks, which can be extremely helpful for getting your point across to the group.

Citrix is also adding new language support in the latest version of Podio. Japanese and Dutch are added to the list this time around, bringing the total languages supported to 11. You can give Podio a try for free from the Play Store link at the top of this post.

More: Podio Blog



Verizon Galaxy Nexus gets Android 4.2.2 starting today

Posted: 19 Mar 2013 08:34 AM PDT

Verizon Galaxy Nexus

Finally.

Verizon has announced that starting today, its much-maligned Samsung Galaxy Nexus will finally get Android 4.2.2, some time after nearly every other version of Google's 2012 flagship smartphone.

The Galaxy Nexus by Samsung will be updated to Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. The software will be pushed to Verizon Wireless customers in phases starting March 19.

The software includes new camera features such as photosphere to take 360 degree panoramic pictures that can easily be shared with friends. The camera app also has new tools to add filters and borders, further customizing pictures.

Additionally, an all new Gesture Keyboard is available, allowing users to slide their finger from letter to letter to type a word. Other enhancements include allowing users to place widgets on the lock screen for easier access to popular apps such as Calendar, Gmail and Clock.

Be sure to note that line stating the update will push out in phases. So if you don't get it first thing, keep an eye out. That said, we expect to see the manual download location any time now, so you probably won't have to wait too long. Hit up the forum link below to find out what's what.

Source: Verizon; More: Verizon Galaxy Nexus forums



Neatly for Twitter beta: A smooth and functional new client

Posted: 19 Mar 2013 07:30 AM PDT

Neatly for Twitter

Twitter's recent API limit enforcement has put a bind on many developers that are making clients, but that doesn't seem to have deterred Neatly from releasing its own. Currently in a "final beta" release, Neatly is a simple and clean (hence the name) client that performs well and gives simple settings for managing timelines and muting users.

Hang with us after the break and see how Neatly for Twitter hangs with other clients in its current beta state.

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Deal of the Day: Seidio 3500mAh Extended Battery w/ NFC for Galaxy S3

Posted: 19 Mar 2013 06:24 AM PDT

Deal of the Day The March 19 ShopAndroid.com Deal of the Day is the Seidio 3500mAh Extended Battery w/ NFC for Samsung Galaxy S3. This extended battery provides up to 60% more life for your device and comes with a replacement door featuring a soft-touch coating for a better grip. The battery supports NFC so you can still share with ease and is available in both black or white battery doors.

The Seidio 3500mAh Extended Battery w/ NFC is available for just $54.00, 28% off today only. Grab yours while supplies last!

Deal also available in the Canada store

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Of course HTC filmed itself outside Samsung's Times Square event

Posted: 19 Mar 2013 05:40 AM PDT

HTC in Times Square

In my Sunday column I wrote about HTC hitting up the queue outside the Samsung Unpacked event at Radio City Music Hall, handing out swag and showing off the HTC One. Turns out HTC was a couple blocks away at 46th and Broadway, hitting up Samsung's outdoor Times Square extravaganza as well. And this time, it took video cameras. No surprise there. If a troll strikes in the woods and no one is around, it doesn't count.

So HTC this morning posted a well-produced video of folks on the street getting their hands on the HTC One and learning a little bit about the features. They're all unsurprisingly excited to see it. 

One thing they still didn't learn: When they'll be able to buy one.

Hit the break for the full video.

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Google Flight Search now available in Europe

Posted: 19 Mar 2013 04:02 AM PDT

Google Flight Search

Previously limited to journeys starting in the U.S., Google Flight Search is making its European debut this morning. Starting today users in UK, France, Italy, Spain or the Netherlands can use Flight Search to compare trips to the hundreds of supported destinations. As well as searching the most affordable travel times and airlines, Flight Search allows you to compare alternative airports in the same country or region, and there's a handy map view to make this a little easier.

Sure, there are many other sites offering this kind of functionality, but Google's implementation is clean and functional. And interestingly, Google seems to use your search and location history to pre-populate the list of "destinations for you," which could be either pretty awesome or pretty creepy depending on your perspective.

Google Flight Search is live now at google.com/flights on the web, and there are full-sized and mobile versions of the site available.

More: Google Flight Search; Source: ITA Software by Google



CM developers passing on Samsung Galaxy S4 - should you?

Posted: 19 Mar 2013 02:51 AM PDT

Galaxy S4

Update: CyanogenMod on its Google+ account reminds us all that of its official position on the Galaxy S4 -- which is to say it doesn't have one yet. CM also reminds us all that individual developers' do not speak for CM as a whole. (Which is why the quotes in the following piece are from Team Hacksung and not CyanogenMod.) CM adds that it intends to wait for retail release of the Galaxy S4 before commenting on support, as it does for all new devices.

Original story: With the Samsung Galaxy S4 presumably coming soon, many are excited about the possibility of running a more stock Android-based experience, like CyanogenMod, on the hardware. It looks like that's going to be a slower transition than many were hoping, as the current Samsung CM maintainers have said that they have no plans to support the device.

The relationship between Samsung and the people trying to hack CM onto Samsung phones has been pretty tumultuous as of late. On one side, Samsung has to try to protect their IP. Some of the decisions they have made to help do this just aren't very developer-friendly, and some even violate the GPL (an open source license that covers everything in the Linux kernel used in Android). On the other side, you have a group of people that have to have a little access to this IP so they can build a working firmware for the device. They need everything covered under the GPL, and even a little friendly advice from the manufacturers is what it takes sometimes to get everything working just right. With the two sides unable to get together, frustration has set in and the developers have spoken. XpLoDWilD, speaking for Team Hacksung states:

Nobody at Team Hacksung (the team behind Galaxy S2, Note, S3, Note2, G Tabs... official CM ports) plans to buy it, neither develop for it. There are two variants which will be a pain to maintain, [and] the bugs we have on the S3 will probably be there on S4, too (camera), and we all know Samsung ability to release sources while staying in line with mainline. Yes Qualcomm releases sources, but Exynos sources we had were far from [working on] actual Galaxy products. I'm pretty sure the same will happen for this one.

That's a uniform "no" from us. 

The other developers are saying basically the sameCodeworkxEntropy512, and kernel developer Gokhan Moral have said they refuse to develop for the Galaxy S4. Read through the break for some discussion of what this might mean for users like us.

Discuss in the Galaxy S4 forums

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Samsung confirms it's already working on a smart watch of its own

Posted: 19 Mar 2013 02:47 AM PDT

Samsung

Samsung has confirmed that it's working on its own smart watch product, and has been for some time. The device will presumably be a major rival to Apple's anticipated iWatch, rumored to be released later in the year, as the mobile device space is increasingly seen as a two-horse race between Samsung and Apple.

Samsung executive vice president Lee Young Hee revealed the information in an interview with Bloomberg, but offered no clues as to which features might be included --

“We’ve been preparing the watch product for so long,” Lee Young Hee, executive vice president of Samsung’s mobile business, said during an interview in Seoul. “We are working very hard to get ready for it. We are preparing products for the future, and the watch is definitely one of them.”

Of course, there's no indication that such a product would run Android, but given Samsung's history with the platform there's at least a possibility. And given Samsung's history with Apple, it should come as no surprise to see the two companies preparing to compete in the wearable tech space too.

So might you be picking up a Galaxy Watch in the next year or so? Shout out in the comments!

Source: Bloomberg; via: iMore



Contest winners: Nexus 7 charging docks!

Posted: 18 Mar 2013 11:52 PM PDT

Nexus 7 dock.

If you're a registered member here at Android Central then you know our forums always have a contest happening. And if you're not registered, well -- now is as good a time as any. This week's winners are as posted after the break, and if you were chosen watch your email as we'll be following up during the week. Stay tuned for more upcoming contests folks. Congrats to the winners!

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Samsung, HP, and Acer Chromebooks coming to 6 new countries starting today

Posted: 18 Mar 2013 11:32 PM PDT

Chromebooks

Turns out Australia getting access to the Samsung, HP, and Acer Chromebooks was just the tip of the international iceberg, Starting from today (March 19) folks in Canada, France, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands will be able to purchase one of the three best-selling Chromebooks without knowing a friend who will ship across the borders.

While the Samsung Chromebook has sat at the top of the Amazon best-selling list for laptops for quite a while, Chrome OS and Chromebooks have yet to explode like Android has. Basically the Chrome Browser turned into a platform for development (read our Chromebook Pixel review for more details), some people are reluctant to try. We don't blame them, Chrome OS clearly isn't for everybody.

But if you've been wanting to pick up a Chromebook and live in one of the six new countries where they will be sold, hit the source link and get the details on where you can pick one up, and when.

Source: Google Chrome blog